The History of St.
Mary's Part 1

1843-1900

1843

6th September. The cornerstone of the
church was laid by Mrs. Dwyer, wife of the Commandant. There is a
brass plate in the
porch to commemorate
this.

1844

First Royal Navy Chaplain, the Revd George
Bellamy arrived.

1845

The Admiralty instructed the Commandant
to enlarge the entrance of the church now under construction and to
complete the work as soon as possible.

1846

The main body of the church completed,
making it the second oldest existing Anglican church in the Diocese,
second only to St James, St. Helena, 1674.

1852

Contingency plans made for Episcopal
visit. In the event of a Bishop visiting Ascension an eleven gun salute
was proposed!

1861

Petition sent to the Bishop of St Helena from A.N.
Burnett, Captain in charge, Geo Webb, Captain of Marines, and Revd.
Arthur Geo Berry, Chaplain, asking him to consecrate the church.

Bishop Cloughton arrived on H.M.S. Buffalo to "consecrate
the same edifice in all time coming to the honour of God and to
his Worship and Service only by the name of St Mary's Church." Ascension
Day, May 9th. Confirmation of 34 African servants, cooks and labourers.
Consecration of Bonetta,
Georgetown (Deadman's)
and Monkey Rock cemeteries.

1862

Revd. Robert Hind chaplain.

1865

Revd. James Robinson chaplain.
Complained that the church was too small, accommodating only 250 out
of a population of 500.

1868

Revd. W.A. Richmond chaplain.

1870

Revd. J.T, Westroff chaplain.
Removed old pulpit and reading desk and replaced them by a lecturn.
Replaced pews with open seats. Altar and rails installed.

1872

Revd. George C Waller added a seat in
the chancel.

1874

Cambridge Paragraph Bible
purchased through "Island Fund", also Prayer Book and a large Hymns
Ancient and Modern, all bound in Russian leather. The Bible is still
in St Mary's church with Latin inscription.

1876

1877

4 more standard lamps purchased.
Revd. Millett designed a mahogany pulpit which was made by a Marine
carpenter. Installed December 20th. 20 bracket candle lamps installed.

1878

Iron safe with two sets
of keys received from Paymaster of Stores for safekeeping of Registers.
New Bible and Prayer Book supplied by Admiralty. Bishop rules that
the Marriage License Fee (10 shillings) can be kept by the Chaplain.

Revd. John McG Ward Chaplain. He was married on
the island on July 24th 1880 to Ann Halifax, aged 20, a yeoman's
daughter.

1879-1880

1880

Revd. George Sutton Chaplain.

1884

Revd. John Cavanagh Chaplain.
Opened a "Subscription List" for the replacement of the American Organ
- which was impossible to tune - with a harmonium. He states that
the officers all subscribed and all sections of the community with
the exception of the Marines who thought that the Admiralty should
provide a new instrument. The List raised £15 and 8 shillings, a concert
given by Mesdames Gribbill, Cavanagh, Hilsey, Sparm and Littlejohn
raised £1, 8 shillings and 6d, and a further £2, 13 shillings and
6d had to be taken from the Offertory to make a total of £20. The
Admiralty had agreed to add £10, and with the £30 in hand a former
Chaplain of the Fleet, Mr. Lang, purchased a 15-stop Alexander Harmonium,
catalogued at £50 including a tar lined case and transport to Sheerness.
Free passage had been offered by H.M.S. Wye, but in the event the
instrument arrived by the Emma Ernest, and was installed on Sexagesima
Sunday (the second before Lent) in 1888.

1887

Revd. Arthur Hill Chaplain.
Some controversy at this time as the Captain in charge, R.H. Napier
wanted to take some services himself, and seems to have done so in
St. Mary's Church when Mr. Hill was busy taking Holy Communion to
the folk on Green Mountain. Correspondence with the Bishop clearly
indicates that lay persons may take some services but only with the
consent of the Chaplain. Cpt. Napier was unwilling to be beholden
to his Chaplain, and wrote to the Commander in Chief that "Mr. Hill
has not been in all respects an influence for good on the Island."
(29th July 1889) By March 1888, Mr. Hill had made an Altar Cross and
candlesticks in brass, raised the Altar, erected a retable, polished
all the brass in the church, had the church decorated and the chancel
floor painted, and the duck-covers to all the seats washed in time
for Easter Day. He also obtained permission from the Bishop to hold
services on Green Mountain ' in any room or building … fit and convenient
… for this pious and sacred purpose' as well as and prior to the regular
'forenoon' service at St. Mary's. The old organ was sold with the
Bishop's permission and Admiralty consent for £5 and 10 shillings,
and an Alms Dish, Red Cloth for the desks, a lecturn and new duck
for the kneelers bought with the proceeds. Mr. Hill left the island
on December the 3rd 1890.